The following Thursday, the bill for the Independent Authority against Corruption will be presented before the Plenary Session of the Parliament, except unexpectedly. There was a conclusion on the issue of the advisory council and on the issue of strengthening the investigative powers of the Authority.
At the next meeting of the Committee on Legal Affairs, the final text of the bill for placement will be presented, since in today's Parliament the Members received a text with amendments that focus on three points. "We owe a lot and we gave almost nothing to the society," said Commission Chairman Nikos Tornaritis. The goal is for the Authority to start operating on April 1st.
At the meeting, the Minister of Justice, Stefi Drakou, stated that the amendments focus on the addition of the word "complaint" to make it clear that the Authority is also investigating complaints regarding the appointment of the advisory board - which will compile a list of three people for each position. The Legal Committee will then be consulted and a final list will be given to the Council of Ministers for appointment - and to the matter of powers, where changes have been made to strengthen investigative powers, as is the case with other Authorities.
As the Minister said before the Commission, these amendments address the wishes of the majority of members.
Committee Chairman Nikos Tornaritis said the amendments summarize members' suggestions. He said that the advisory council will submit a list of names, the Minister of Justice will come to the Commission for consultation and the proposal will be presented to the Minister.
DISY MP Fotini Tsiridou said that the bill seems to include what was requested by the members of the Committee and was discussed and composes all the views.
DISY's Rita Superman said that provision should be included for the rights of the one who gives a deposit to the Authority.
Nikos Georgiou of DISY said that the issue of politicians should be settled if reference is made to them, in which conclusion will be issued.
AKEL MP Aristos Damianou said that an advisor cannot be a controlled person and can not be an arm of the state. He also raised concerns about the Commission's consultation with the Minister.
DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou insisted that the members of the advisory body should be institutional, coming from public life and not the private one, explaining that we should strengthen the institutions and not weaken them.
EDEK MP Kostis Efstathiou said that he has not clarified whether the members of the transparency committee will express interest in being appointed or whether the opinion will submit ideas. He expressed the view that there should be interest in not giving the image of underground conciliation. He also expressed concern about the inclusion in the opinion of the Academy of Letters and Arts.
The MP of Ecologists-Citizens' Cooperation Charalambos Theopemptou noted that the members of the advisory should remain five, explaining that the bigger the enlargement the better, because the influence of the parties will decrease.
Among the institutions proposed by members of the Committee at a previous meeting that they could form this advisory body are the Attorney General, the Auditor General, the Commissioner of Administration, the President of the Academy of Letters and Arts or the President of the Synod of Rectors.
Placements after the meeting
Minister Stefi Drakou in statements to the media after the meeting said that there were suggestions for the appointment of members and the creation of the advisory as well as the strengthening of powers and the Ministry submitted its amendments today. The discussion, he said, was completed and "I hope the bill will go to the Plenary soon".
He also said that the Constitution would be amended accordingly to allow the use of the English language in commercial and naval courts - an issue also discussed in the Committee on Legal Affairs - as suggested by a majority of Members. The amendment goes to plenary tomorrow.
The Minister also said that if the Ministry is convened again for a meeting next Wednesday on the issue of gynecology, it will attend to present its views again.
The Chairman of the Committee, Nikos Tornaritis, said that the revised text submitted by the Minister on the issue of corruption, is in line with the wishes of the Parliament. He referred to the investigative powers of the Authority, which will now accept complaints and a full investigation will be carried out. A proposal was also submitted for the establishment of the advisory council with a list of well-known personalities (15 in total) and from it, after consulting the Parliament, the President of the Republic and the Minister will appoint the Authority that will be for a term of six years.
"Next Wednesday the bill will be before the Commission for the 23rd time for a final discussion and position, the hope is to go beyond ourselves and pass this strong legislation that sends multiple messages that we are changing," he said.
Regarding the investigation and the conclusion of the Authority, he said that the first level is that of administrative / disciplinary responsibilities, ie the competent authorities related to the person under examination will be informed and at the end of the procedure, the situation will be made public. Regarding the file that will be submitted to the Prosecutor's Office for the initiation of criminal proceedings, he noted that the courts have a say and a role and after the outcome of any decision, the result will be made public.
Mr. Tornaritis also commented on the further deterioration of Cyprus in the Corruption Perceptions Index and said that it is necessary to harmonize with the modern world and institutions and to proceed with actions that make us serious towards our citizens and international institutions.
He also said that next Wednesday at 11:XNUMX in the morning there will be a discussion on the issue of gynecology, which, he noted, is a matter of priority.
He also said that today the discussion in the Commission on the commercial court and the naval court was completed and that the constitution will be amended for the use of English language when both parties request it. He emphasized that this was being introduced only in the commercial court and the naval tribunal and that the English language would not be introduced in other courts and other levels of justice.
On the issue of the commercial court and the naval court, he said that it is a great reform and sends the message to investors that Cyprus is a regional center for investments. The consolidated bill will be presented to the Commission next Wednesday and will be submitted to the Plenary next Thursday.
DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou said that an effort is being made to regulate the provisions to ensure the principle of transparency and objectivity of persons. It is important, he said, to start the process in an objective way. He also stated that there is a common ground regarding the powers of the Authority and that the debate specifically on this issue will continue.